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DCI Tom Raven #1
The Landscape of Death
A Murder. A Homecoming. A Day of Reckoning.
A man’s body washes up on a beach on the North Yorkshire coast with a single gunshot wound to the chest. The only clue to the victim’s identity is a ring engraved with two names.
DCI Tom Raven is back in his hometown of Scarborough for the first time in nearly thirty years. When offered the chance to lead the murder investigation, he takes it.
Raven quickly discovers that the prime suspect is his once teenage friend, now a wealthy but shady businessman. He finds an ally in Detective Sergeant Becca Shawcross, but not everyone in the team is on his side.
As Raven delves into the case, he is forced to confront the events that drove him away from Scarborough so many years ago. Given a chance to undo past mistakes, he must make the biggest decision of his life. But first he must learn who he can trust. Because lies can kill.
Set on the North Yorkshire coast, the Tom Raven series is perfect for fans of LJ Ross, JD Kirk, Simon McCleave, and British crime fiction.
A man’s body washes up on a beach on the North Yorkshire coast with a single gunshot wound to the chest. The only clue to the victim’s identity is a ring engraved with two names.
DCI Tom Raven is back in his hometown of Scarborough for the first time in nearly thirty years. When offered the chance to lead the murder investigation, he takes it.
Raven quickly discovers that the prime suspect is his once teenage friend, now a wealthy but shady businessman. He finds an ally in Detective Sergeant Becca Shawcross, but not everyone in the team is on his side.
As Raven delves into the case, he is forced to confront the events that drove him away from Scarborough so many years ago. Given a chance to undo past mistakes, he must make the biggest decision of his life. But first he must learn who he can trust. Because lies can kill.
Set on the North Yorkshire coast, the Tom Raven series is perfect for fans of LJ Ross, JD Kirk, Simon McCleave, and British crime fiction.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 14, 2022
2204 people are currently reading
1102 people want to read
About the author
M.S. Morris
22 books225 followersM S Morris is the pseudonym for the writing partnership of Margarita and Steve Morris. Together they write psychological thrillers and crime novels. The couple are married and live in Oxfordshire. They have two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
October 2, 2022
This is a nice beginning to new series by these authors. I have enjoyed another series from them previously, so I was open to something new.
DCI Raven is a character with imperfections and some events from the past that need resolution as he returns to his home in Scarborough to bury his father and take up a new position after a long time away, fresh from London. People are getting killed and/or threatened and it's his job to bring them to justice though challenged with memories from his past in the town where he grew up.
Kindle Unlimited
DCI Raven is a character with imperfections and some events from the past that need resolution as he returns to his home in Scarborough to bury his father and take up a new position after a long time away, fresh from London. People are getting killed and/or threatened and it's his job to bring them to justice though challenged with memories from his past in the town where he grew up.
Kindle Unlimited
October 21, 2022
Relationships, Reality and Ruination
A tightly-knit narrative of long-time relationships, family dysfunction and selfishness. It is very character driven and with lots of twists and turns and DCI Raven is a man to follow.
A tightly-knit narrative of long-time relationships, family dysfunction and selfishness. It is very character driven and with lots of twists and turns and DCI Raven is a man to follow.
September 27, 2022
Exceptional...
And really NOT FAIR book 2 is out in December.
Tremendous characterization, building of storyline and the character of Tom Ryan. Most interesting both his strengths and weaknesses are presented.
And really NOT FAIR book 2 is out in December.
Tremendous characterization, building of storyline and the character of Tom Ryan. Most interesting both his strengths and weaknesses are presented.
March 17, 2024
Considerably better than I had expected for a 99p Kindle purchase. Interesting protaganists with lots of scope for development. An up to date and relevant motive grounded in traditional family rivalries and dynamics. I'm not sure that Raven's transfer could have been arranged as quickly and I'm pretty certain he wouldn't have been to do what he does at the end on his own without even a risk assessment. Apart from that a good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2024
2.5 rounded down
Book one in a series by a husband and wife author team whose other series set in Oxford I read. This time we’re in Scarborough and DCI Tom Raven has returned home after many decades working in London. Of course he has a bad history with the place.
The book was an okay read. I struggled a little with the overly macho protagonist and his naivety at times. The perpetrator was a touch predictable, but it was the rushed James Bond -esc ending that lost me.
Book one in a series by a husband and wife author team whose other series set in Oxford I read. This time we’re in Scarborough and DCI Tom Raven has returned home after many decades working in London. Of course he has a bad history with the place.
The book was an okay read. I struggled a little with the overly macho protagonist and his naivety at times. The perpetrator was a touch predictable, but it was the rushed James Bond -esc ending that lost me.
June 2, 2024
really poorly researched and or thought through
Detective would have been removed from this case early on if the book had any actual plausibility. And the boyfriend accident, well also not reality based.
Detective would have been removed from this case early on if the book had any actual plausibility. And the boyfriend accident, well also not reality based.
October 27, 2024
Combined review for books 1-5 in this series. These are serviceable mysteries investigated by an interesting-enough cast of characters, but nothing in the cast, setting, or crimes really stands out. Raven is pretty cliche but the authors have made him sufficiently self-aware of his flaws that he doesn’t feel like a total Gary Stu. And I like Becca as a character but I don’t understand why the authors think it’s necessary for her to comment on her weight and diet practically every time we get her POV. It doesn’t add anything to her character, has no relationship to the rest of the story, and feels like the authors just picked the easiest “flaw” they could think of to make her feel a bit more like a real person. (These books love commenting on people’s weight in general and often use physical fitness as a proxy for moral goodness, which is lazy and annoying.)
The ending of book 1 is very action movie-esque and feels like it came out of a different book, but thankfully the authors dialed it down in the following books.
In book 3, [info revealed in the book 3 blurb] and was made worse by [minor book 3 plot spoilers] . I don’t think this type of book needs to be medically realistic, but I don’t like when authors invent factually baseless scenarios and then moralize about them as though they have anything to do with real life.
The ending of book 1 is very action movie-esque and feels like it came out of a different book, but thankfully the authors dialed it down in the following books.
In book 3, [info revealed in the book 3 blurb] and was made worse by [minor book 3 plot spoilers] . I don’t think this type of book needs to be medically realistic, but I don’t like when authors invent factually baseless scenarios and then moralize about them as though they have anything to do with real life.
November 9, 2022
First love
DCI Tom Raven is copper in the Met, successful in his career, but no so good in his personal life. His wife has left him and moved in with her new boyfriend. His daughter, Hannah is at university and slow at returning messages.
Born and raised in Scarborough, after his mother's death , he left the town and his brutal drunk of a father behind and joined the forces at sixteen.
That was thirty one years ago and now he is back. His father has died and he has to sort things out. A fortnight leave from the Met to sort the funeral and put his father's house on the market.
Tom's not surprised to find the house much the same as when he left, just more work and shabby - he decided to stay there anyway.
Meanwhile, the local police have found a young man's body washed up on the beach - one shot to the chest.
Tom finds it strange to be home. After the funeral he's enjoying the fresh air, the lack of noise and pollution of London. He finds himself thinking about the future, what if he stayed here, didn't return to the Met?
He decided to check out the local police station, could he transfer?, how long would it take?.
Somewhat bemused, the following day he finds himself heading up a murder enquiry for Scarborough Police. Right time, right place or karma, his query about the local police vacancies, resulted in a phone call to his boss at the Met. , his immediate secondment to Scarborough.
The past is waiting to bring Tom up to speed, his old nemesis, Darren Jupp is connected to the case, and it gets worse.
DCI Tom Raven is copper in the Met, successful in his career, but no so good in his personal life. His wife has left him and moved in with her new boyfriend. His daughter, Hannah is at university and slow at returning messages.
Born and raised in Scarborough, after his mother's death , he left the town and his brutal drunk of a father behind and joined the forces at sixteen.
That was thirty one years ago and now he is back. His father has died and he has to sort things out. A fortnight leave from the Met to sort the funeral and put his father's house on the market.
Tom's not surprised to find the house much the same as when he left, just more work and shabby - he decided to stay there anyway.
Meanwhile, the local police have found a young man's body washed up on the beach - one shot to the chest.
Tom finds it strange to be home. After the funeral he's enjoying the fresh air, the lack of noise and pollution of London. He finds himself thinking about the future, what if he stayed here, didn't return to the Met?
He decided to check out the local police station, could he transfer?, how long would it take?.
Somewhat bemused, the following day he finds himself heading up a murder enquiry for Scarborough Police. Right time, right place or karma, his query about the local police vacancies, resulted in a phone call to his boss at the Met. , his immediate secondment to Scarborough.
The past is waiting to bring Tom up to speed, his old nemesis, Darren Jupp is connected to the case, and it gets worse.
August 31, 2024
The Landscape of Death is book one in the DCI Tom Raven series by M. S. Morris. DCI Tom Raven came home to Scarborough due to the death of his father and decided to stay and join the North Yorkshire police. On his first day, he became involved in the murder of a young man. However, when they discovered his identity, DCI Tom Raven realised the prime suspect was one of his childhood friends. DCI Tom Raven did not know about his new team, but he needed to trust someone he became an ally with, Detective Sergeant Becca Shawcross. Will DCI Tom Raven find the answers, or will his childhood memories destroy him? The readers of The Landscape of Death will continue to follow DCI Tom Raven and Detective Sergeant Becca Shawcross to discover what happens.
The Landscape of Death is M. S. Morris's second book, and it was enjoyable. At first, I was not sure I would enjoy reading it, but I engaged with this book's characters and story from the first page. M. S. Morris is a partnership between husband and wife, and I love their writing style, which always causes me to engage with their stories. Landscape of Death is well-written and researched. I love M. S. Morris's portrayal of their characters and the way they intertwine with each other. I like M. S. Morris's description of the settings of The Landscape of Death, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
Readers of Landscape of Death will learn about only the consequences of unemployment and alcohol on a family. Also, th butralsofgetnacvivid picturewillliferth Yor uniquekshire coast.
I recommend this book.
The Landscape of Death is M. S. Morris's second book, and it was enjoyable. At first, I was not sure I would enjoy reading it, but I engaged with this book's characters and story from the first page. M. S. Morris is a partnership between husband and wife, and I love their writing style, which always causes me to engage with their stories. Landscape of Death is well-written and researched. I love M. S. Morris's portrayal of their characters and the way they intertwine with each other. I like M. S. Morris's description of the settings of The Landscape of Death, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
Readers of Landscape of Death will learn about only the consequences of unemployment and alcohol on a family. Also, th butralsofgetnacvivid picturewillliferth Yor uniquekshire coast.
I recommend this book.
May 7, 2023
I am a fan of British mysteries and detective stories so when this book became available I thought I'd give it go. This is the first in a series featuring DCI Tom Raven. The setting is the seaside town of Scarborough in north Yorkshire. Raven is a high ranking detective in London, returning to Scarborough for his estranged father's funeral and to sort out the sale of the family home.
Being back after a 31 year absense stirred something. He loved the fresh air, the darkness of the evenings and felt better than he had in bustling London. Don't take that to mean Tom Raven is warm and docile, far from it. Requesting a temporary transfer places him right into a murder investigation and he has to catch up quickly.
I like the characters and they are well fleshed out. I also like how the author can bring you up to speed on Raven's background in a simple paragraph, concisely explain his background. You get a snapshot of his personality right away. He is a military veteran who experienced a nearly life ending injury, he's a workaholic and has secrets from his youth which caused him to join the military and settle in London afterwards.
Good pace, love the cold northern setting and look forward to more in this series. This would appeal to fans of the late Peter Robinson. 4.5 stars
This is an author I'd not heard of but plan to read more in the series. M.S. Morris is actually two authors, just as the Nicci French novels.
Being back after a 31 year absense stirred something. He loved the fresh air, the darkness of the evenings and felt better than he had in bustling London. Don't take that to mean Tom Raven is warm and docile, far from it. Requesting a temporary transfer places him right into a murder investigation and he has to catch up quickly.
I like the characters and they are well fleshed out. I also like how the author can bring you up to speed on Raven's background in a simple paragraph, concisely explain his background. You get a snapshot of his personality right away. He is a military veteran who experienced a nearly life ending injury, he's a workaholic and has secrets from his youth which caused him to join the military and settle in London afterwards.
Good pace, love the cold northern setting and look forward to more in this series. This would appeal to fans of the late Peter Robinson. 4.5 stars
This is an author I'd not heard of but plan to read more in the series. M.S. Morris is actually two authors, just as the Nicci French novels.
January 24, 2023
The husband-and-wife team who write under the pen name of M.S. Morris have done an outstanding job with the first Tom Raven mystery series. They have moved on from a previous detective series set in Oxford, disappointing that they won't return to that series, but the new series promises to have more mystery and action. When Raven returns to his hometown after 30 years to bury his father, he decides to stay and is accepted onto the local police force. He is immediately embroiled in the murder of a young man who was washed up on the beach with a bullet hole in his chest. The writers do a masterful job of involving Raven's past friends to the current murder. Readers are oriented to Raven's past and his connections to the village by entangling his history with this murder. In addition, the authors introduce some interesting new characters that are part of Raven's team that seem promising as well. There are plenty of twists along the way. In addition, this book seemed more fast-paced than the Oxford series. A great read. I will definitely read the others!
February 20, 2023
I feel like I'm running through the gamut of thrillers located on the coasts of Scotland and England. I gave this book 3 stars because I stopped believing in the reaction of the characters, and didn't care much for any of them. Tom Raven seems like a good enough guy, but after 30 years and a failing marriage, well, I understand why his marriage failed. Saucer-eyed over his first girlfriend who had no redeeming qualities mentioned other than her fantastic looks....well.
The audio version of this book was very sing-song like. I started humming with the cadence of the narrator's voice as it was so often repetitive.
The story was okay, although I didn't buy the ending for a minute. There would have to be a whole lot more psychological work done on the characters to believe that. This was pretty cardboard cut-out, as was the "rescue". Just not possible if you've ever been in conditions like these.
I might give #2 a go as someone here said a lot of the background introductory stuff is out of the way in the first book.
The audio version of this book was very sing-song like. I started humming with the cadence of the narrator's voice as it was so often repetitive.
The story was okay, although I didn't buy the ending for a minute. There would have to be a whole lot more psychological work done on the characters to believe that. This was pretty cardboard cut-out, as was the "rescue". Just not possible if you've ever been in conditions like these.
I might give #2 a go as someone here said a lot of the background introductory stuff is out of the way in the first book.
Read
September 17, 2024A man’s body washes up on a beach on the North Yorkshire coast with a single gunshot wound to the chest. The only clue to the victim’s identity is a ring engraved with two names.
DCI Tom Raven is back in his hometown of Scarborough for the first time in nearly thirty years. When offered the chance to lead the murder investigation, he takes it.
Raven quickly discovers that the prime suspect is his once teenage friend, now a wealthy but shady businessman. He finds an ally in Detective Sergeant Becca Shawcross, but not everyone in the team is on his side.
As Raven delves into the case, he is forced to confront the events that drove him away from Scarborough so many years ago. Given a chance to undo past mistakes, he must make the biggest decision of his life. But first he must learn who he can trust. Because lies can kill.
Set on the North Yorkshire coast, the Tom Raven series is perfect for fans of LJ Ross, JD Kirk, Simon McCleave, and British crime fiction.
Very good series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2023
After finishing and thoroughly enjoying the D.I.Hart series by these authors, this was the obvious next choice.
I wasnt disappointed.
If you enjoyed the previous series, your enjoyment will continue as Tom Craven replaces Bridget Hart and Oxford changes to Scarborough.
Despite vowing never to come back, Raven returns to his home town, to bury his father. Tiring of his job at the Met , he gets himself seconded to the local force in time to head up a case involving his boyhood nemeses and his own first real girlfriend.
As the case increases in complexity and old wounds are opened, Raven soon has his new team eating out of his hand, or bag of croissants.
Its a good introduction to this new DCI and his earlier life in the town and to his team.
I wasnt disappointed.
If you enjoyed the previous series, your enjoyment will continue as Tom Craven replaces Bridget Hart and Oxford changes to Scarborough.
Despite vowing never to come back, Raven returns to his home town, to bury his father. Tiring of his job at the Met , he gets himself seconded to the local force in time to head up a case involving his boyhood nemeses and his own first real girlfriend.
As the case increases in complexity and old wounds are opened, Raven soon has his new team eating out of his hand, or bag of croissants.
Its a good introduction to this new DCI and his earlier life in the town and to his team.
September 3, 2023
First book I've read by M.S. Morris and I must say it hit all of my hot buttons. A good detective story with solid characters both good and bad. The suspense is held until the last chapters where the murderer is revealed. This one has it all love, betrayal, family loyalties, drugs and murder. I already like the protagonist DCI Tom Ravin and his (I suspect) soon to be loyal sidekick Becca.
The characters and their backgrounds are well laid out. The interactions between them are realistic and their emotions are easy to identify with. The plot moves quickly and is fairly complex yet easy to keep track of which means the book is a relatively fast read. High recommendations for the 1st in the DCI Tom Ravin series and I eagerly await the next in the series. Enjoy.
The characters and their backgrounds are well laid out. The interactions between them are realistic and their emotions are easy to identify with. The plot moves quickly and is fairly complex yet easy to keep track of which means the book is a relatively fast read. High recommendations for the 1st in the DCI Tom Ravin series and I eagerly await the next in the series. Enjoy.
July 21, 2024
Well written, great plot, interesting and relatable characters with an interesting central figure made for a great read. This was clearly the introduction but a very satisfying labyrinthine storyline kept it interesting throughout.
Red herrings are an integral part of detective novels and whilst there were plenty they were planted quite subtly and enhanced the storytelling.
There certainly seems to be a good team around DCI Raven, all with some background which bodes well for future novels in this series.
Lastly the Yorkshire coastal area seems a good setting and is loving described.
Definitely recommended.
Red herrings are an integral part of detective novels and whilst there were plenty they were planted quite subtly and enhanced the storytelling.
There certainly seems to be a good team around DCI Raven, all with some background which bodes well for future novels in this series.
Lastly the Yorkshire coastal area seems a good setting and is loving described.
Definitely recommended.
November 10, 2024
I suspect this might be the first book from the writing team M and S Morris. if so, it's an excellent start.
Tom Raven's character does follow some familiar patterns - a broken marriage, an alienated daughter, a war wound, and owns an old but supersmart car. However, there are fresh aspects too. I'll leave you to find them.
Becca is the sort of sergeant he needs, and no doubt argues with often in the future books.
The story itself moves at a fair pace. Suspects are introduced and then discarded. It ends with a dramatic episode.
Very enjoyable. I'll be reading more in the DCI Tom Raven series.
Tom Raven's character does follow some familiar patterns - a broken marriage, an alienated daughter, a war wound, and owns an old but supersmart car. However, there are fresh aspects too. I'll leave you to find them.
Becca is the sort of sergeant he needs, and no doubt argues with often in the future books.
The story itself moves at a fair pace. Suspects are introduced and then discarded. It ends with a dramatic episode.
Very enjoyable. I'll be reading more in the DCI Tom Raven series.
July 18, 2025
Excellent First Book in the Series
This is an excellent first book in the DCI Tom Raven Crime Thrlrillers Series. M. S. Morris has created a detective who is flawed and full of pain when he returns to Scarborough to attend his father's funeral.
On a whim, he finds himself accepting a temporary posting to solve a murder. Feeling jaded by his time in the Met, he sees this as a new challenge.
The past is waiting to catch up with Tom Raven, and the author unfolds both the story of the murder and Raven's backstory in a very engaging way.
I really enjoyed reading this Book 1, and I am looking forward to Book 2.
This is an excellent first book in the DCI Tom Raven Crime Thrlrillers Series. M. S. Morris has created a detective who is flawed and full of pain when he returns to Scarborough to attend his father's funeral.
On a whim, he finds himself accepting a temporary posting to solve a murder. Feeling jaded by his time in the Met, he sees this as a new challenge.
The past is waiting to catch up with Tom Raven, and the author unfolds both the story of the murder and Raven's backstory in a very engaging way.
I really enjoyed reading this Book 1, and I am looking forward to Book 2.
March 25, 2023
I'm always interested in a new crime writer, but this is Yorkshire and so a must. The duo have written a good police procedural with some good characters set in Scarborough and along the East Coast. The opening and Tom Raven's appointment to his new post in the town does seem a little contrived, but after that, the plot is well structure and the plot evolves well. The drawback was the writing was a bit dry and short on style. However, the Yorkshire setting makes it fun for me and pushes it up to 4 stars.
August 7, 2023
Good story
This is an interesting mystery set in the context of a coming home journey for the main character, Raven. It's interesting to see how Raven works through the differences in perspective he has from being a young man escaping an abusive father to an experienced detective returning to his hometown. Naturally, he has to battle some ghosts, both dead and alive, while learning to navigate a new work environment. The story is told from multiple perspectives, so we not only see Ravens impressions of coming home, but also his new colleagues' impressions of him.
This is an interesting mystery set in the context of a coming home journey for the main character, Raven. It's interesting to see how Raven works through the differences in perspective he has from being a young man escaping an abusive father to an experienced detective returning to his hometown. Naturally, he has to battle some ghosts, both dead and alive, while learning to navigate a new work environment. The story is told from multiple perspectives, so we not only see Ravens impressions of coming home, but also his new colleagues' impressions of him.
Read
August 13, 2025I have read other books by M.S. Morris and have enjoyed them. This is an interesting story, and it looks like the beginning of an interesting series.
Tim Raven goes back to Scarborough to take care of his estranged father's funeral. On a whim, he asks for a secondment to the Scarborough CID.
As this book begins to unfold, the story of Raven begins to unfold as well.
Raven has to revisit a past he had left behind when his old friend is involved in Tom's first case.
Tim Raven goes back to Scarborough to take care of his estranged father's funeral. On a whim, he asks for a secondment to the Scarborough CID.
As this book begins to unfold, the story of Raven begins to unfold as well.
Raven has to revisit a past he had left behind when his old friend is involved in Tom's first case.
November 2, 2022
Grabbed this pretty much at random among the gazillion mystery novels available via KU - looks like I got lucky!
Introducing DCI Tom Raven, who has returned to Scarborough after 31 years to bury his father and ends up being offered the opportunity to lead a murder investigation, this series is off to a good start. The characters are well developed and the mystery definitely kept me guessing. I'll be back for book #2.
Introducing DCI Tom Raven, who has returned to Scarborough after 31 years to bury his father and ends up being offered the opportunity to lead a murder investigation, this series is off to a good start. The characters are well developed and the mystery definitely kept me guessing. I'll be back for book #2.
November 6, 2022
A seriously good book
Having read MS Morris’s first series, I was keen to read this, and they are even better!!!
I find the best authors are almost invisible, by this I mean the story is so well told that you’re immersed in the story and aren’t distracted by irritating language usage nor poorly thought out plots. MS Morris is in this league for me.
Believable, twisty and not too gruesome. For me this is a contender for a dagger award.
A real gem.
Having read MS Morris’s first series, I was keen to read this, and they are even better!!!
I find the best authors are almost invisible, by this I mean the story is so well told that you’re immersed in the story and aren’t distracted by irritating language usage nor poorly thought out plots. MS Morris is in this league for me.
Believable, twisty and not too gruesome. For me this is a contender for a dagger award.
A real gem.
April 13, 2023
Meh.
There’s nothing about it to recommend this book. The inciting incident—London DI reluctantly moves to the country—have been done and overdone. As has the plot. None of the characters is someone you’d want to have dinner with.
This surprised me. I’ve read and enjoyed the Bridget Hart books, and assumed a consistency from the authors. It’s not horrible or embarrassing; I did read it all the way through. But having met Tom Raven, I’ll skip on further contact.
There’s nothing about it to recommend this book. The inciting incident—London DI reluctantly moves to the country—have been done and overdone. As has the plot. None of the characters is someone you’d want to have dinner with.
This surprised me. I’ve read and enjoyed the Bridget Hart books, and assumed a consistency from the authors. It’s not horrible or embarrassing; I did read it all the way through. But having met Tom Raven, I’ll skip on further contact.
April 13, 2024
Enjoyable first entry in the series
Having read all the books in the Black Beacons Murder Series based in Wales I felt there was a good chance I would enjoy another UK Detective series, and from what I found in the first book, I was right! The characters are well developed, the landscapes are interesting, the storyline is engaging and keeps you guessing, and the ending is satisfying. A quick, enjoyable read for those who like UK Detective stories.
Having read all the books in the Black Beacons Murder Series based in Wales I felt there was a good chance I would enjoy another UK Detective series, and from what I found in the first book, I was right! The characters are well developed, the landscapes are interesting, the storyline is engaging and keeps you guessing, and the ending is satisfying. A quick, enjoyable read for those who like UK Detective stories.
July 28, 2024
Intriguing Story
In Book 1 of the Tom Raven Crime Thrillers we have Raven returning to his home town 30 years after he left it. Now he's returned as his farther has died and Raven is the only one left to make arrangements. He quickly decides he doesn't want to return to his DCI job in London and manages to get himself seconded to work with the police in his home town. He's assigned to a drowning victim and the action begins.
London
In Book 1 of the Tom Raven Crime Thrillers we have Raven returning to his home town 30 years after he left it. Now he's returned as his farther has died and Raven is the only one left to make arrangements. He quickly decides he doesn't want to return to his DCI job in London and manages to get himself seconded to work with the police in his home town. He's assigned to a drowning victim and the action begins.
London
October 1, 2024
Having grown up with close relatives near Scarborough, I knew the town well. Things have changed a lot there since I was last there: apart from anything else, I was sad to read here that the clifftop railway of my childhood is now a stationary café. As an outsider, and a child, I missed the seamier side. That makes the book less of a tourist draw than a cosier crime novel would be! But it is well worth reading.
February 25, 2025
Very Good Story Landscape of Death
This is a good detective story. It twists and turns with surprises and solid detective work. The hero DCI Raven returns to his childhood home in Yorkshire from London to bury his father and decides to see about remaining. A local murder creates an opportunity on the the local police force and he joins them. Characters in the story are well developed and likeable. The tensions are real. Its an enjoyable read.
This is a good detective story. It twists and turns with surprises and solid detective work. The hero DCI Raven returns to his childhood home in Yorkshire from London to bury his father and decides to see about remaining. A local murder creates an opportunity on the the local police force and he joins them. Characters in the story are well developed and likeable. The tensions are real. Its an enjoyable read.
June 3, 2025
This the first in tom raven series and a very enjoyable read it was. We have the d.c.i. raven with all the usual baggage of a divorce,daughter in uni and very much a loner. He returns to his roots and takes police job there, and is soon wrap roped in to investigate some murders(no spoilers). What i can say is i have another 6 books to read , so onto no2 and the next raven , try reading them in order they ,sort of continue in a fashion which i like.
January 21, 2023
A good start
As the first of a series this was really quite good. Though as usual there are dark doings in the past of at least some of the characters. Thankfully however most seem to have been dealt with and are out of the way for following books. I look forward to reading more from Yorkshire.
As the first of a series this was really quite good. Though as usual there are dark doings in the past of at least some of the characters. Thankfully however most seem to have been dealt with and are out of the way for following books. I look forward to reading more from Yorkshire.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews